Zimbabwe’s foreign policy and its impact on socio-economic development since 2001

Abstract

The study investigated Zimbabwe’s foreign policy and its impact on socio-economic development within the ministry of Agriculture since 2001. In exploring this research, the researcher used the theory of power and interdependence. The researcher, made use of a qualitative explorative case study research design and selected a sample using non-probability sampling and purposive sampling techniques and a sample of 60(sixty respondents was used. Data was collected from participants of the ministry of Agriculture mainly then key informants from the ministry of finance and economic development as well as the ministry of foreign affairs and international trade using interviews. The collected data was then analysed using thematic approach. The collected data reflected that Zimbabwe’s foreign policy since 2001 has been dominantly shaped by domestic issues such as FTLRP, human rights abuses, Indigenisation and empowerment act, operation murambatsvina that relate to the political climate that has prevailed over the country since 2001 and issues related to mismanagement by the government. To this end, the researcher also found out that the foreign policy of Zimbabwe has brought some modicum socio-economic development and that largely, no tangible socio-economic development has been brought about by the foreign policy trajectory taken by the government. On intervention strategies, the researcher found out that a lot can be done to improve Zimbabwe’s international relations and in also improving the impact of foreign policy on development in Zimbabwe. The researcher then made recommendations in line with the study findings, that the government of Zimbabwe needs to reflect on its foreign policy and fix all issues that are affecting its foreign policy from having robust impact. The government must also ensure protection and promotion of human rights, good governance of natural resources as well as revision of domestic policies which deter investors to invest in the country